TRAFFORD FC 1, STALYBRIDGE CELTIC 2
Manager Jon Macken praised his Stalybridge Celtic players after they came from behind to win at Trafford FC which moved them into the play-off places in Pitching In Northern Premier League, West.
A run of one loss in six league games has seen Celtic climb from mid-table to become genuine promotion contenders.
“The reaction to falling behind was superb, magnificent and shows the character and belief in the group,” he said.
Macken, the former Manchester City striker, blamed his side’s laboured first-half display on Saturday’s draw at Avro where they conceded a late equaliser.
He explained: “In the first half it looked as though we were recovering from Saturday which was a tough challenge.
“We did not get going and couldn’t string passes together and there was no fluidity in our play. We needed a lot more energy and belief in our passing and movement.
“The second half was a lot better, except for the first minute.”
The opening period provided little goalmouth action at either end and there was five minutes of added time after Trafford winger Matty Morgan sustained a serious leg injury and had to leave the field on a stretcher.
The second half was an altogether different story as Trafford took the lead inside 30 seconds when Rio Clegg fired home his 10th goal of the season after the Celtic defence was carved open from kick off.
It might have become an even tougher challenge moments later when Clegg was through on goal again only to be denied by keeper Charlie Monks.
Celtic were level in the 56th minute when Jordan Butterworth’s long ball freed Joe Duckworth who was clean through before lobbing keeper Sam Booth.
And the comeback was complete just short of the hour when centre back Jack Tinning squeezed home a header at the far post from the tightest of angles following as free kick from the right.
Celtic claimed a third goal minutes later after the Trafford defence went AWOL again and Jack Irlam claimed his shot had crossed the line. This was backed up by phone footage taken by a fan behind the goal.
The remainder of the match saw Celtic’s game management faultless as Trafford never seriously threatened a comeback.
Just as a footnote, Celtic continue to be the division’s great entertainers as their 29 games have produced a total of 104 goals.
And before this match, they were the joint fourth highest scorers and had the joint second worst defensive record with thrills and spills in equal measure at both ends of the pitch.